Being my travels down those great two lane highways of this nation as well as news I learn about them from media sources. Since I'm also very interested in historic preservation, there will be a lot of that as well.

Friday, May 19, 2017

News From Along Route 66, April 2017: Illinois Restaurants

APRIL 18-- The old, long-closed Tropics building in Lincoln, Illinois, was torn down to be replaced by a McDonald's (at least it is not a Walgreen's).

The restaurant opened in 1950 and closed for good in 2004. At least we got the opportunity to eat there and watch a Bears game one Sunday.

At least the impressive sign will be put up again (and I understand it will be at the new McDonald's or somewhere close to it.

APRIL 19-- The famous and historical sign at Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket in Willowbrook, Illinois, has been taken down temporarily for a few weeks and slated to be reinstalled by early June. It has been there for 71 years and is showing the wear and tear of northern Illinois weather.

This was done by a $17,000 matching grant from the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program. The company restoring it is the same one that did the Munger-Moss Motel's famous sign in Lebanon, Missouri.